Chapter 4The Choice I Make This Time

In the blink of an eye, we were in high school. Surrounded by love and support, Julian had blossomed into a brilliant, radiant young man. The moment he stepped onto campus, he caused an absolute sensation.

Even though he was older, we were in the same grade and the same class. It was both my parents' wish and his own insistence, so he could protect me more closely.

Simultaneously, an old acquaintance made her appearance: Chloe Jenkins. The very same fake heiress who had personally orchestrated my torture and death in my past life.

She looked delicate and fragile. Every smile, every frown radiated a pitiful, "damsel in distress" aura. Her large, watery eyes were specifically engineered to elicit sympathy.

"Julian, look at three o'clock. Do you think that girl is pretty?"

Julian followed my gaze and saw Chloe, standing there in a plain white sundress, her long black hair blowing in the wind.

He looked confused but answered seriously, "I don't know. Maybe she's the type other guys like?"

More than just what guys like, I thought. She was the exact type my biological brother would be obsessed with. He was so obsessed he watched his own sister suffer a fate worse than death just to please her.

I licked my lips and asked, "Do you like that type?"

A flash of absolute disgust crossed his eyes, though his face remained perfectly composed and polite. "I don't."

I chuckled. "Then what type do you like?"

He looked down at me, raising an eyebrow. "I like girls who are arrogant, demanding, bossy, and totally unreasonable."

Me: ?

...

Chloe was in our class. She didn't test in; she was an access student. The designated "scholarship case."

Every year, our elite prep school admitted a few scholarship students to maintain the illusion of an egalitarian, merit-based tradition. In reality, these scholarship kids were usually bullied relentlessly, considering everyone else was either a corporate heir or old money.

In my past life, because my biological brother acted as her aggressive, violent bodyguard, she basically ruled the school.

But this time, my brother wasn't here. I couldn't wait to see how she planned to survive.

The first period was dedicated to self-introductions. Everyone confidently walked up to the podium, completely unfazed.

We were all used to large crowds and high-pressure situations, so a simple classroom introduction was nothing.

When it was Chloe's turn, her face flushed crimson. She acted painfully shy, twisting her hands together, refusing to walk up. "I... I'm too embarrassed."

The teacher smiled kindly. "It's okay! We're all meeting for the first time, don't be nervous. Class, let's give her a warm round of applause!"

The class applauded politely. Seeing I didn't clap, Julian kept his hands resting on his desk as well.

But after three rounds of applause, the class was visibly annoyed. Chloe still hadn't moved. She bit her lip, her face turning even redder, and tears began to well up in her eyes.

What an absolutely pathetic display.